Cabo Pulmo National Park

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Cabo Pulmo National Park

National Park

Cabo Pulmo National Park is a protected marine area on the eastern coast of Mexico's Baja California Peninsula, celebrated for its ancient coral reef and dramatic marine life. Travellers come to snorkel and dive among dense fish populations and to see one of the few coral reef systems on the Pacific side of the Americas.

Cabo Pulmo National Park La Paz, Baja California SurCabo San LucasSan José del CaboLoreto, Baja California SurSanta Rosalía, Baja California SurCiudad ConstituciónTodos Santos, Baja California SurGuerrero NegroCabo Pulmo National Park

Cabo Pulmo National Park essentials

Address: Bahía Pulmo, Cabo Pulmo, Baja California Sur, Mexico

Cabo Pulmo National Park protects a patch of reef and surrounding waters between Pulmo Point and Los Frailes Cape on the Gulf of California. The park includes the oldest of only three coral reefs on the west coast of North America; the reef system is estimated to be about 20,000 years old and supports 11 species of coral. Designated a national marine park in 1995, Cabo Pulmo later became part of the UNESCO World Heritage listing for the Gulf of California and was recognized as a Ramsar Wetland.

The reef consists of hard-coral colonies on rock outcrops that run parallel to the shore, with shallower reef nearer the beach and deeper coral further offshore where larger predators visit. Community-led conservation and a no-fishing strategy have driven a strong recovery in fish abundance since protection began, making the area a widely cited conservation success story. Visiting the park feels remote: facilities in the village are small-scale and centred on dive and eco-tourism, and marine wildlife is the main attraction.

  • Cabo Pulmo reef: Hard-coral gardens run parallel to the shore and are the focus for snorkeling and scuba-diving, with diverse reef fish and corals to observe.
  • Big pelagics and schools: The protected waters attract large schools of fish and occasional visits from sharks, rays, dolphins and other large predators.
  • Bahía Pulmo coastline: Shoreline views and rock outcrops around Bahía Pulmo offer easy snorkel entry points and scenic coastal walks near the village.
  • Diving drop-offs: Deeper sections of the reef host larger fish communities and are popular dive sites where visibility and current can bring exciting encounters.
  • Cabo Pulmo village: The small community offers dive operators, basic services and a chance to see local conservation efforts in action.
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Cabo Pulmo National Park#

Cabo Pulmo has a warm, dry winter and a hotter summer with a pronounced late-summer rain season; sea conditions and visibility are best outside the rainy/storm season. Choose season based on whether you prefer cooler, calmer water or warmer weather.

Winter (best)
November - February · 11°C - 28°C (52°F - 82°F)
Dry, cooler months with generally calm seas and good visibility for snorkeling and diving; this is the most comfortable time for most visitors.
Spring - Early Summer (good)
March - June · 12°C - 34°C (54°F - 93°F)
Warming temperatures and usually stable sea conditions make this a good time for diving and seeing active reef life before the main rains.
Rainy / Storm season (variable)
July - October · 20°C - 35°C (68°F - 95°F)
This period brings most of the annual rainfall and higher chances of storms and reduced visibility at times, so trip operators may alter schedules or routes.

Weather & Climate near Cabo Pulmo National Park#

Climate

Cabo Pulmo National Park's climate is classified as Hot Desert - Hot Desert climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and mild winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 11°C to 35°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 31 Good
Best Time to Visit
MayFebruaryMarch
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
34°
Warmest Month
11°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Ideal 11° - 24° 17° 15 mm some cloud 67% 3.4 m/s 1.1 high 10.7h
February Ideal 11° - 25° 18° 5 mm mostly sunny 65% 3.5 m/s 1.5 very high 11.3h
March Ideal 12° - 26° 19° 1 mm mostly sunny 60% 3.5 m/s 2.0 very high 11.9h
April Ideal 13° - 29° 21° 0 mm mostly sunny 57% 3.7 m/s 2.4 extreme 12.6h
May Ideal 16° - 31° 24° 1 mm clear 55% 3.9 m/s 2.4 extreme 13.1h
June Ideal 20° - 34° 27° 0 mm clear 59% 3.8 m/s 2.5 extreme 13.4h
July Excellent 24° - 35° 32° 21 mm mostly sunny 64% 3.6 m/s 2.5 extreme 13.3h
August Excellent 24° - 34° 33° 58 mm some cloud 67% 3.3 m/s 2.3 extreme 12.8h
September Very Good 24° - 34° 32° 119 mm some cloud 71% 3.1 m/s 2.1 extreme 12.2h
October Ideal 20° - 32° 26° 38 mm mostly sunny 65% 3.1 m/s 1.7 very high 11.5h
November Ideal 16° - 28° 22° 28 mm mostly sunny 65% 3.2 m/s 1.3 high 10.9h
December Ideal 13° - 25° 19° 13 mm some cloud 67% 3.5 m/s 1.0 high 10.6h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Cabo Pulmo National Park#

The park lies on the east (Gulf of California) side of the Baja California Peninsula; the nearest major tourism hubs are Cabo San Lucas (about 100 km to the south) and La Paz to the northwest, while air access is via Los Cabos International Airport at San José del Cabo.

There is no passenger railway in Baja California Sur; access to Cabo Pulmo is by road or by sea. The last stretch is along local roads to the village of Cabo Pulmo and Bahía Pulmo, and many visitors arrive with a hired car, taxi or on an organized dive/snorkel boat from nearby towns - check with local operators about pick-up points and boat departure locations.

Tips for Visiting Cabo Pulmo National Park#

  • Cabo Pulmo is a strictly protected marine park; do not fish, take coral, or disturb wildlife and follow your guide’s instructions.
  • Bring reef-safe sunscreen and protective swimwear - avoid lotion that can harm corals.
  • Services in the village are limited; carry water, basic supplies and some cash, and book dive trips in advance during busy periods.
  • Weather and sea conditions can change quickly; check boat or dive operator guidance and be prepared for changes in visibility or currents.